Victory in Europe Day | World History Project May 8 1945 Victory in Europe Day Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) was on 8 May 1945, the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. On 30 April Hitler committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin, and so the surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, President of Germany Karl Dönitz. The administration headed up by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg government. The act of military surrender was signed on May 7 in Reims, France, and May 8 in Berlin, Germany. Source: Wikipedia Added by: Rob Brent On Mar. 7, 1945, the Western Allies—whose chief commanders in the field were Omar N. Bradley and Bernard Law Montgomery—crossed the Rhine after having smashed through the strongly fortified Siegfried Line and overran West Germany. German collapse came after the meeting (Apr.

25) of the Western and Russian armies at Torgau in Saxony, and after Hitler's death amid the ruins of Berlin, which was falling to the Russians under marshals Zhukov and Konev. The unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Rheims on May 7 and ratified at Berlin on May 8. Source: Infoplease Added by: Rob Brent More information V-J Day - World War II - HISTORY.com Google From Pearl Harbor to Hiroshima and Nagasaki Japan’s devastating surprise aerial attack on the U.S. naval base at Pearl Harbor on Oahu, Hawaii , on December 7, 1941, capped a decade of deteriorating relations between Japan and the United States and led to an immediate U.S. declaration of war the following day. Japan’s ally Germany, led by Adolf Hitler , then declared war on the United States, turning the war raging in Europe into a truly global conflict. Over the next three years, superior technology and productivity allowed the Allies to wage an increasingly one-sided war against Japan in the Pacific, inflicting enormous casualties while suffering relatively few.

By 1945, in an attempt to break Japanese resistance before a land invasion became necessary, the Allies were consistently bombarding Japan from air and sea, dropping some 100,000 tons of explosives on more than 60 Japanese cities and towns between March and July 1945 alone. Did You Know? Rhode Island is the only state with a holiday dedicated to V-J Day (its official name is Victory Day); it is celebrated on the second Monday in August. V-J Day parades are held in several other locations across the United States, including Seymour, Indiana; Moosup, Connecticut; and Arma, Kansas.

The Potsdam Declaration, issued by Allied leaders on July 26, 1945, called on Japan to surrender; if it did, it was promised a peaceful government according to “the freely expressed will of the Japanese people.” If it did not, it would face “prompt and utter destruction.” The embattled Japanese government in Tokyo refused to surrender, and on August 6 the American B-29 plane Enola Gay dropped an atomic bomb on the city of Hiroshima, killing more than 70,000 people and destroying a 5-square-mile expanse of the city. Three days later, the United States dropped a second atomic bomb on Nagasaki, killing another 40,000. The following day, the Japanese government issued a statement accepting the terms of the Potsdam Declaration. In a radio address in the early afternoon of August 15 (August 14 in the United States), Emperor Hirohito urged his people to accept the surrender, blaming the use of the “new and most cruel bomb” on Hiroshima and Nagasaki for the country’s defeat.

“Should we continue to fight,” Hirohito declared, “it would not only result in the ultimate collapse and obliteration of the Japanese nation but would also lead to the total extinction of human civilization.” Reaction to Japanese Surrender In Washington on August 14, President Harry S. Truman announced news of Japan’s surrender in a press conference at the White House : “This is the day we have been waiting for since Pearl Harbor. This is the day when Fascism finally dies, as we always knew it would.” Jubilant Americans declared August 14 “Victory over Japan Day,” or “V-J Day.” (May 8, 1945–when the Allies accepted Nazi Germany’s official surrender–had previously been dubbed “Victory in Europe Day,” or “V-E Day.”) Images from V-J Day celebrations around the United States and the world reflected the overwhelming sense of relief and exhilaration felt by citizens of Allied nations at the end of the long and bloody conflict. In one particularly iconic photo taken by Alfred Eisenstaedt for Life magazine, a uniformed sailor passionately kisses a nurse in the midst of a crowd of people celebrating in New York City’s Times Square.

On September 2, Allied supreme commander General Douglas MacArthur , along with the Japanese foreign minister, Mamoru Shigemitsu, and the chief of staff of the Japanese army, Yoshijiro Umezu, signed the official Japanese surrender aboard the U.S. Navy battleship Missouri , effectively ending World War II . V-J Day over the Years Many V-J Day celebrations fell out of favor over the years due to concerns about their being offensive to Japan, now one of America’s closest allies, and to Japanese Americans, as well as ambivalent feelings toward the nuclear devastation of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. In 1995, the 50th anniversary of the end of World War II, the administration of President Bill Clinton referred not to V-J Day but to the “End of the Pacific War” in its official remembrance ceremonies. The controversial decision sparked complaints that Clinton was being overly deferential to Japan and that the euphemism displayed insensitivity to U.S. veterans who as prisoners of war suffered greatly at the hands of Japanese forces.

Tags Victory in Europe Day | Salve Regina University Victory in Europe Day Sunday, May 8, 2016 Event Type: Cultural Victory in Europe Day was the public holiday celebrated May 8, 1945 to mark the formal acceptance by the Allies of World War II of Nazi Germany's unconditional surrender of its armed forces, thus marking the end of the war in Europe. Event - Victory in Europe Day Victory in Europe Day Last Update: 6 years ago France Victory in Europe Day (V-E Day or VE Day) commemorates May 8, 1945, the date when the World War II Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Third Reich. The formal surrender of the occupying German forces in the Channel Islands was not until May 9, 1945. On 30 April Hitler committed suicide during the Battle of Berlin, and so the surrender of Germany was authorized by his replacement, President of Germany Karl Dönitz. The administration headed by Dönitz was known as the Flensburg government. The act of military surrender was signed on 7 May in Reims, France, and ratified on 8 May in Berlin, Germany.

Calendars with this event on Thu 3 Feb 2011 Last modified by on Tue 22 Feb 2011 Duration: Who can report on this story? Arrange a local correspondent on air in minutes: Charlotte McDonald-Gibson Western Europe correspondent Charlotte McDonald-Gibson covers the European Union, the Eurozone debt crisis, NATO, and central and northern Europe for The Ind... moreCharlotte McDonald-Gibson covers the European Union, the Eurozone debt crisis, NATO, and central and northern Europe for The Independent and others. She has 10 years experience of foreign reporting, including postings in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Thailand. Location: Brussels, Belgium Language: English Contact Charlotte McDonald-Gibson Christopher Lee Western Europe correspondent Christopher Lee is a political and constitutional historian. He specialises in international politics, Intelligence and the poli... moreChristopher Lee is a political and constitutional historian. He specialises in international politics, Intelligence and the political and military consequences of strategic ambitions. He is a former BBC defence and foreign affairs correspondent and Quatercentenary Fellow in Contemporary History Emmanuel College, Cambridge. He has authored or edited 26 books and is the official biographer of the British statesman, Lord Carrington.

Location: London, UK Language: English Contact Christopher Lee Deaglan de Breadun Western Europe correspondent Deaglan de Breadun is a Poitical Correspondent for the Irish Times. Formerly the paper's Northern Editor/Belfast bureau chief an... moreDeaglan de Breadun is a Poitical Correspondent for the Irish Times. Formerly the paper's Northern Editor/Belfast bureau chief and Foreign Affairs Correspondent. His specialist areas are Northern Ireland and the domestic politics of the Republic of Ireland. In February 2007he was appointed Political Correspondent of The Irish Times, working mainly out of Leinster House in Dublin, seat of the Irish parliament. In a wide-ranging career, he has reported from five continents on a diverse range of issues. He has interviewed in depth Yasser Arafat, Kofi Annan, Egypt's President Mubarak and former Irish prime minister, the late Charles J. Haughey. He has won awards for my coverage of Northern Ireland and for other work.

The Surrender of Germany, 1945 Victory celebration, Piccadilly Circus London May 7, 1945 On April 30, 1945, as Russian troops fought to within yards of his subterranean bunker, Adolph Hitler put a pistol to his head, pulled the trigger and closed the curtain on the Third Reich. Before his death, Hitler anointed Admiral Karl Donitz as his successor with orders to continue the fighting. Hitler was unaware that the German surrender had already begun. On the day before his death all German troops in Italy laid down their arms. On May 4, German forces in Holland, Denmark and northwest Germany surrendered to British Field Marshall Montgomery. On May 6, Donitz authorized General Alfred Jodl to "conclude an armistice agreement" with General Eisenhower. The Germans wanted a separate peace with the allied troops in the West in order to continue their battle with the Russians in the East. Eisenhower would have none of it. He ordered the Germans to surrender unconditionally the next day. The Germans acquiesced, signing the surrender document on May 7, in the French city of Reims.

The cessation of fighting took effect at 11:01 PM on May 8. The Russians insisted that a separate signing take place in Berlin on May 9. After six catastrophic years, the war in Europe was over. References: Blond, G., The Death of Hitler's Germany (1954); Toland, John, The last Hundred Days (1966). BBC - History - World Wars: Victory in Europe Day Victory in Europe Day By Dr Gary Sheffield Last updated 2011-03-10 The end of the war in Europe was met with a mixture of euphoria, sombre reflection and, in some cases, indifference. Gary Sheffield examines how the defeat of Hitler's Germany was greeted in Britain and around the world. On this page Print this page Unconditional surrender Tuesday 8 May 1945 was 'Victory in Europe' (VE) Day, and it marked the formal end of Hitler's war. With it came the end of six years of misery, suffering, courage and endurance across the world.

Individuals reacted in very different ways to the end of the nightmare: some celebrated by partying; others spent the day in quiet reflection; and there were those too busy carrying out tasks to do either. Ultimately nothing would be quite the same again. ... it was clear - since at least the beginning of 1945 - that the end of World War Two was in sight ... The end of the World War One on 11 November 1918 had come as a shock to many soldiers and civilians because the collapse of the German army had been so sudden. By contrast, it was clear - since at least the beginning of 1945 - that the end of the World War Two was in sight following a series of capitulations. The German forces in Italy surrendered on 2 May. On the following day a high-ranking German delegation, including a senior admiral and a senior general, appeared at the headquarters of Field Marshal Sir Bernard Montgomery, located near Lubeck. Typically, Montgomery barked, 'Who are these men? What do they want?' They had come to surrender the German forces in Northern Germany, Denmark and the Netherlands.

The final document of unconditional surrender was signed at General Dwight Eisenhower's headquarters in Reims on 7 May. Prime Minister Winston Churchill and King George VI wanted Monday 7 May to be VE Day, but in the event, bowing to American wishes, victory was celebrated on 8 May. The USSR waited an extra day before beginning their formal celebrations. Top 'I've survived' US 'Stars and Stripes' newspaper announces: 'Germany Quits', May 7 1945 © The fighting, killing and dying went on up to the very last minute, and even continued into the immediate period of supposed peace. A German U-Boat sank two merchant ships on 7 May off the Scottish coast, and some Germans continued to fight against the Red Army for several days after VE Day. A common reaction to the news of peace among soldiers in Europe was 'I've survived'. Stuart Hills, a British officer with an armoured regiment, finished the war deep in Germany. On hearing the news he felt immediate exhilaration and marked the occasion with some 'liberated' champagne. But then 'reaction set in' as he thought of his friends who had been killed, and he no longer felt like celebrating.

A Scottish battalion let off some flares when the news came through. Later on rum was issued and one platoon held a sing-song. Otherwise, VE Day passed without much incident. For this unit, still in close proximity to German forces that refused to believe the war was over, it was business as usual. ... swastikas were ceremonially burned. The 8th Hussars (part of 7th Armoured Division), also known as the 'Desert Rats', celebrated VE Day in northern Germany with a church parade followed by rum punch drunk beside bonfires on which swastikas were ceremonially burned. Elsewhere there were more riotous celebrations, with men going 'absent without leave' (AWOL) and even some alcohol-fuelled fatalities, but these tended to occur further back from the front line. In general terms, the British army remained well disciplined. The fighting might have been over, but surrounded by a near-starving civilian population eking a living in the ruins of Germany's towns and cities, everyone could see that there was still much to do. Moreover, the thought of the Far East was in the back of many minds.

Top 'Burma Looms Ahead' VE Day celebrations felt premature to some troops in the Pacific © For the Western Allies, of course, the conflict in Europe was only one half of the world war. At that stage, the atomic bomb was a secret known to a very few, and the end of the war with Japan seemed a very long way off. Many soldiers, sailors and airmen in the European theatre anticipated being sent to fight the Japanese in the Far East. The men of the British Liberation Army serving in Germany interpreted the initials 'BLA' as meaning 'Burma Looms Ahead'. Not surprisingly, for some troops in action in Burma, or sailors of the British Pacific Fleet fighting alongside the US Navy, the news of victory in Europe seemed somehow unreal. As if to rub home the fact that there was still a war to be fought, the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious was hit by a Japanese kamikaze suicide plane on the day after VE Day. ... for some troops ... the news of victory in Europe seemed somehow unreal. For Far Eastern troops out of the line, there was an opportunity to celebrate in various ways.

Some got hold of alcohol, while the Women's Auxiliary Service (Burma), attached to 26th Indian Division, supplied mugs of tea to a race-meeting held on a beach. A surprising number of soldiers who served in Burma do not even mention VE Day in their memoirs and diaries. One group in the Far East who did hear about the news from Europe were prisoners of war from Britain and other parts of the Empire, still held in terrible conditions in Changi Jail, Singapore, who picked up Churchill's victory broadcast on clandestine radios. Top VE Day and the Commonwealth In Australia, the war with Japan was quite literally nearer to home, and Sydney Morning Herald posed the question, 'Since when has it been customary to celebrate victory halfway through a contest?' Subsequent VE Days were often quiet affairs in Australian towns and cities. In New Zealand, victory was celebrated on 9 May in an orderly fashion - the government having made detailed plans months in advance - and the population quietly obeyed instructions. Since when has it been customary to celebrate victory halfway through a contest?

This was in stark contrast to VE Day in the Canadian city of Halifax, where bars were unwisely closed, leading to the widespread looting of alcohol by servicemen, inevitably followed by riotous behaviour and the destruction of property. Of course, other Canadians celebrated more decorously. The author's father-in-law, undergoing flying training in Canada, spent VE Day in Moncton, New Brunswick, joining local civilians in driving their trucks around the town in celebration. Many sailors of the Royal Navy discovered the news of VE Day through their ships' 'sparks' (radio operator) as they picked up BBC broadcasts. Many ships' captains celebrated the occasion by 'splicing the mainbrace' - a euphemism for issuing a rum ration. For some, this was a pleasant interlude in what was otherwise a normal working day. A force of British and Canadian ships spent VE Day sailing to Jersey and Guernsey, occupied since 1940. Although in his victory broadcast Churchill had announced that, 'our dear Channel Islands are also to be freed today', it was unclear whether the defenders intended to fight or surrender.

In the event the liberation was achieved peacefully, with the Bailiff of Jersey leading the crowds in St Helier in a rendition of the National Anthem, which the Germans had banned for the duration of the war. Top War-weary Britain Churchill: 'This is your victory.' © In much of Britain, VE Day was marked by street parties. The people of Britain badly needed to let their hair down. The country was war-weary by May 1945. There had been years of austerity and rationing: five inches of water to a bath, few eggs, no bananas and the motto 'make do and mend'. Half a million homes had been destroyed, and many millions of lives disrupted. Although the casualty lists from the battlefields were lower than in World War One, they were still terrible. When in 1944 the primitive V1 'doodlebug' missiles and V2 ballistic missiles began to rain down on south-east England, the morale of civilians who had already endured the Blitz of 1940-1 took a knock. ... the evil-doers lay prostrate before us ... Advance Britannia. People were already on the streets celebrating on 7 May, and huge crowds gathered in London on the following day.

At 3.00pm Churchill made a radio broadcast. In Trafalgar Square, an eye-witness noted, '...there was an extraordinary hush over the assembled multitude', as Churchill's voice was relayed over loudspeakers: '... the evil-doers lay prostrate before us ... Advance Britannia.' The King and Queen appeared eight times on the balcony of Buckingham Palace, while the two princesses - Margaret and Elizabeth (the present Queen) - mingled with the crowds. Churchill gave an impromptu speech on the balcony of the Ministry of Health, telling the crowds, 'This is your victory.' Top Moving on All over the country people held fancy dress parades for children, got drunk, made a din, sang and danced in the streets, and went to church to give thanks to God for victory. For all too many people, mourning a loved one killed in service or in a German air raid, the moment of victory was bittersweet. For others, after the parties were over, there was a sense of anti-climax. The war had been won, but the peace did not promise to be easy. The tension that had been there for six long years was suddenly relaxed.

Some found that they had lost a sense of purpose in their lives, a feeling exacerbated by the austerity to come. The war had been won, but the peace did not promise to be easy. If VE Day drew a line under the past, the defeat of Churchill in the July 1945 General Election signalled a new beginning. On 15 August, victory in Japan read the last rites of the Second World War. Compared to VE Day, it was a subdued affair. Britain had already begun to move on. V-E Day: May 8, 1945 May 8 marks the day of victory for Allies in World War II The London Daily Mirror, May, 8, 1945 On Mar. 7, 1945, the Western Allies—whose chief commanders in the field were Omar N. Bradley and Bernard Law Montgomery —crossed the Rhine after having smashed through the strongly fortified Siegfried Line and overran West Germany. German collapse came after the meeting (Apr.

25) of the Western and Russian armies at Torgau in Saxony, and after Hitler's death amid the ruins of Berlin, which was falling to the Russians under marshals Zhukov and Konev. The unconditional surrender of Germany was signed at Rheims on May 7 and ratified at Berlin on May 8, a day thereafter known as V-E Day and marked by celebration of the Allied victory in Europe. Winston Churchill and V-E Day Video Watch events unfold in Britain when Winston Churchill announces the end of World War II, V-E Day, in 1945. VE Day, Victory in Europe May 8th 1945 By Ben Johnson | Comments May 8th 1945, was the date the Allies celebrated the defeat of Nazi Germany and the end of Adolf Hitler's Reich, formally recognising the end of the Second World War in Europe. The Allies had begun to overrun Germany from the west during April as Russian forces advanced from the east. On 25th April 1945 , Allied and Soviet forces met at the Elbe River, the German Army was all but destroyed.

Five days later, Hitler killed his dog, his new wife Eva and then committed suicide in his Berlin bunker. His successor, Admiral Karl Doenitz, sent General Alfred Jodl to General Dwight Eisenhower's Supreme Allied Headquarters in Rheims to seek terms for an end to the war. At 2:41 a.m. on 7th May, General Jodl signed the unconditional surrender of German forces, which was to take effect from 8th May at 11:01 p.m. After six years and millions of lives lost, the Nazi scourge was crushed and the war in Europe was finally over. V-E Day Celebrations on the Strand ( photograph courtesy of the Imperial War Museum Duxford) It was on this date that great celebrations took place across Europe and North America: in London over a million people celebrated the end of the European war. Crowds massed in Trafalgar Square and up the Mall to Buckingham Palace, where King George VI and Queen Elizabeth, accompanied by the Prime Minister Winston Churchill, appeared on the balcony of the Palace to cheering crowds. Amongst those crowds Princess Elizabeth (the future Queen Elizabeth II ) and her sister, Princess Margaret blended anonymously, apparently enjoying the celebrations for themselves first hand.

Listen now to Winston Churchill as he addresses the crowds on VE Day: In the United States, President Harry Truman, who celebrated his 61st birthday that same day, dedicated the victory to his predecessor, Franklin D. Roosevelt, who died less than a month earlier, on 12th April. The Allies had originally agreed to mark 9th May 1945 as V-E day, but eager western journalists broke the news of Germany's surrender prematurely, thus signalling the earlier celebration. The Soviet’s kept to the agreed date, and Russia still commemorates the end of the Second World War, known in Russia as the Great Patriotic War, as Victory Day on 9th May. The Allied victory over Japan was known as V-J Day , did not take place until some months later on 15th August 1945. Liberation Day Cavelcade, Guernsey © States of Guernsey Tourist Board Parties have been organised throughout Europe and North America in May 2005 to celebrate the 60th Anniversary of VE Day.

Of special significance perhaps, are those events planned to commemorate the liberation of the Channel Islands , which were the only part of Britain to fall under the domination of the Third Reich. Tweet If you enjoyed this article, you might also like... The British Tommy, Tommy Atkins - Tommy Atkins, Thomas Atkins and Tommy are all terms that refer to the British common soldier, particularly in... The Victoria Cross - The origins of the Victoria Cross can be traced back to 1854, when Britain found itself fighting a major war against... World War 2 Chronology - An introduction to World War 2, from the German invasion of Poland in 1939 and the evacuation from Dunkirk in 1940, through to VE and VJ days in 1945. The Dicken Medal - The Dickin Medal has been called the Animal VC and is awarded by the charity PDSA in recognition of extreme bravery by animals. Theo, a springer spaniel arms and explosives dog, has been... Popular This Month Victory in Europe Day | Nashen Notes G.J.

Nashen Canada , Historical Anthony Housefather , George & Phyllis Nashen , Michael Polack , remembrance , V-E Day , Veterans , Victory in Europe Day 1 Comment Photo credit: Darryl Levine, CSL Communications Under sunny skies on a warm spring afternoon, veterans, dignitaries, volunteers and members of the public assembled today at Cote Saint-Luc’s Veterans Park for the annual commemoration of Victory in Europe Day, commonly referred to as D Day. The eerie sound of the bagpipes summoned all to attention as flags fluttered at half mast in tribute to those who had fallen in service and paid the ultimate price. Veterans and members of the Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion before the cenotaph in Veterans Park (Photo Darryl Levine) Mayor Anthony Housefather paid homage to those who served and returned to build Cote Saint-Luc into a modern, bustling suburban community. He lauded the veteran’s sense of community and volunteerism that paved the way for the city’s volunteer Citizens on Patrol, Emergency Medical Services and the volunteers within recreation, seniors, library and so many other groups.

“I commit to you today, that for the rest of my life I will never forget your sacrifice and service,” the mayor said, pledging to continue to undertake this annual event year after year and to continue teaching generations to come. Native Cote Saint-Lucer and Honourary Dutch Consul Michael Polak recounted how important the Canadian contribution was to the people of the Netherlands. “Canadian grave sites (in Holland) were tended to for 70 years by grandparents, children and now grandchildren,” Polak said. “And I assure you they will continue to honour these fallen Canadian liberators for generations to come.” I am honoured to place a wreath at the cenotaph on behalf of CSL Public Safety and all those who serve, both volunteer and professional (Photo Darryl Levine) Although the veterans grow fewer in number each year it is remarkable to see their determination and resolve to participate in uniform with medals of service and bravery adorning their blue blazers. Their berets show the golden “97” depicting their branch in the Royal Canadian Legion. My father, George Nashen, 91, proudly took his place in the front row, together with my mother.

At the sounding of the bugle, his right arm, still sore from surgery last year, sprang to attention, just as it did more than 70 years ago. While his service, so many decades ago took him oversees to London as a teenager, he returned home having lost his best friend and so many comrades in the Royal Canadian Air Force. Proud to represent my city, alongside my father, who bravely represented our country so many decades ago under horrific conditions (Photo Darryl Levine) On this D Day, 70 years after liberation, I also pay tribute to those who served and those who fell. I thank them all for their sacrifice to bring an end to the tyranny and murder of millions in the gas chambers and in their homes and cities. They served so that others could again live in free and democratic countries across Europe, and so we would be so fortunate here in Canada. And I salute my own father for his service to country, to humanity and to freedom. G.J.

Nashen Canada , Events , Historical , Jewish General Hospital Brigadier Frederick Kisch , First World War , Korean War , Remembrance Day , Royal Canadian Legion , Second World War , VE Day , Veterans Park , Victory in Europe Day Leave a comment The annual Victory in Europe (V-E) Day commemoration takes place on Sunday, May 3 at 2 pm at Veterans Park, in the city of Côte Saint-Luc. The ceremony will highlight the 70th anniversary of the liberation of Europe form the armed forces of Nazi Germany, on May 8, 1945. In attendance will be members of the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion, Mayor Anthony Housefather, the Côte Saint-Luc city council, dignitaries, veterans and residents. To mark the 70th anniversary, Côte Saint-Luc is sending out invitations by mail to all households. VE Day enactment of a vintage WWII RCAF paratroopers uniform “It is important to express our gratitude to the men and women who have fought to liberate Europe,” said Councillor Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine.

“Our veterans contributed in ending the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe and others targeted by the Nazis. Attending this ceremony is a concrete and visible manner to honour them and to reflect on the sacrifices made.” This year’s commemoration will be conducted by Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 President, Frank Levine. Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall. VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008 “I encourage everyone to come on May 3 and show support for our veterans who still continue to do so much for our community and look after their own,” Councillor Levine said. “Every November during the annual Poppy Fund Campaign, the veterans sit for hours in malls and grocery stores pinning endless poppies on endless lapels to collect funds.

The monies collected are then returned to the community through donations to local organisations, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital, the Salvation Army, the Old Brewery Mission and many others.” George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012 The cenotaph at Veterans Park near 5851 Cavendish Blvd. honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. Members of the Royal Canadian Legion Branch 97 join Mayor Anthony Housefather at the 2014 VE Day Commemoration A chill in the air and light mist did not dampen the resolve of the aging local veterans of WWII to remember the sacrifices of their comrades and friends so many decades ago. While their numbers, sadly, diminish each year they were strongly supported by politicians, diplomats, volunteers and residents at this solemn and meaningful gathering. Mayor Housefather eloquently said to those assembled that we are duty bound to repeat again and again, and to teach the younger generations of what our parents and grandparents did to secure our free and democratic country and to never remain silent in face of adversity.

I believe that of all our mayor’s magnificent speeches throughout the year his VE Day remarks are his most heartfelt and touching ones. Dutch Consul General Michael Polak gave a stirring account of his parents liberation from war-torn Holland and eventual emigration to Canada, where they settled in Cote Saint-Luc. Polak’s speech was both personal and emotional. He gave sincere thanks to the veterans for his family’s sake and he received a loud applause from the audience. VE Day enactment of a vintage WWII RCAF paratrooper’s uniform Newly elected MNA David Birnbaum represented the Government of Quebec and expressed great appreciation to the veterans gathered at this annual event. The British Consul and Israeli Consul General Joel Lion also thanked those who served oversees and laid wreaths commemorating their sacrifices on behalf of their respective countries. Former MNA Lawrence Bergman was on hand as was former Councillor Isadore Goldberg as well as Hampstead Mayor William Steinberg, Police Commander Marc Cournoyer, Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson, a contingent from the volunteer Citizens on Patrol under Supervisor Susie Schwartz and members of EMS. The RCAF band provided musical accompaniment.

In my own effort to capture a snapshot of history and pass on the messages of our dear veterans please watch the following short interview with Branch 97 President Frank Levine, Sidney Barnett and my dad, George Nashen. G.J. Nashen Canada , Historical , Jewish Community Anthony Housefather , Irwin Cotler , Lawrence Bergman , Remembrance Day , Royal Canadian Air Force , V-E Day , Veterans Park , Victory in Europe Day , World War II Leave a comment Victory in Europe Day was marked today in the City of Cote Saint-Luc. This annual event marks the day in history that ended World War II . In Cote Saint-Luc we have held our annual commemoration on VE Day for nearly two decades as our veterans have grown older and November 11 has become too cold for them outdoors and it is difficult to draw a crowd. Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park The event is held in Veteran’ Park on Cavendish Boulevard next to City Hall. Dignitaries including diplomats and elected representatives from all levels of government join with clergy, veterans and their families, city staff, emergency personnel and volunteers to mark the solemn occasion.

I was particularly pleased to have my three year old son and 10 year old daughter join me and my wife along with my father, 89 years old and a veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force . My father served in London, England and shares his memories of the bombardments and of friends who never returned from the front lines. Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Emergency Medical Services honour guard: Kelly Malka, Louis-Pierre Fournier, Adam Gossack Mayor Anthony Housefather never disappoints with his traditionally passionate speech of appreciation to those who served and to those who returned to build our city and community. Howard Liebman, Chief of Staff to Mount Royal Member of Parliament Irwin Cotler gave an eloquent speech on behalf of the MP. Cotler was in Jerusalem on this day. Liebman’s speech highlighted the numerous interventions by the MP to signal gross violations of human rights, genocides and unspeakable atrocities that continue around the world. He said that it is the obligation of all free people to speak out against such horrors such as that which is going on today in Syria, Iran, on the African continent and other hotspots around the world.

Police Commander Sylvain Bissonnette and Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson D’Arcy McGee Member of the National Assembly Lawrence Bergman spoke of the importance to respect those currently serving. He singled out the PQ’s Bill 14 as being fundamentally unjust to those serving in Quebec in the Canadian Armed Forces who would be forced to educate their children in French rather than English The provision in Bill 14 would add a level of stress upon the soldiers, Bergman said, should they be transferred with their families to another province where there children would then be at a disadvantage in an English school. MNA Lawrence Bergman As the City Councillor responsible for Public Safety I was honoured to join Cote Saint-Luc Public Safety Director Jordy Reichson in laying a wreath on behalf of the department. The department includes EMS, vCOP, Public Security, Emergency Communications and Emergency Preparedness. The event was emceed by the Legion’s Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 president, Frank Levine. The co-chairs were Councillors Ruth Kovac and Allan J. Levine.

Members of the Cote Saint-Luc volunteer Citizens on Patrol The hot sun and slight breeze was comforting for the aging veterans, who, sadly, are fewer in number each year. Mayor Anthony Housefather with veterans looking on Dutch Honourary Consul and Cote Saint-Luc resident for 25 years, Michael Pollak, noted that while not nearly enough Canadian kids are conversant and knowledgeable enough about WWII, that is certainly not the case for school kids in the Netherlands. Pollak said that the lessons and experiences of the war are etched into Dutch psyche, and his countryman know full well about the heroic liberation led by Canadian soldiers, some of whom were likely sitting right before him in today’s crowd. Three generations of Cote Saint-Lucers: George, Glenn and Jeremy Nashen The 306 Wing Maple Leaf Concert Band: G.J. Nashen Canada , Historical , Jewish General Hospital , Press Release Allan J.

Levine , Canadian Legion Branch 97 , Jewish General Hospital , Royal Canadian Legion , Ruth Kovac , Veterans Park , Victory in Europe Day , World War II Leave a comment Royal Canadian Legion (Photo credit: Wikipedia) Members of the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion , Mayor Anthony Housefather , the Côte Saint-Luc city council, dignitaries, veterans and residents will commemorate Victory in Europe (V-E) Day on Sunday, May 5 at 2 pm at Veterans Park. “My generation and those of my children and grandchildren will never be able to fully pay back the Canadian soldiers who fought to defeat tyranny during the Second World War,” said Ruth Kovac, who is the co-chairperson of this event with Councillor Allan J. Levine. “By liberating Europe our veterans also ended the genocide against the Jewish population of Europe and others targeted by the Nazis.” VE Day parade in Cote Saint-Luc 2008 Councillor Levine said we must continue to honour those who have served and those families who lost loved ones for our country.

“I encourage everyone to come on May 5 and show support for our veterans who still continue to do so much for our community and look after their own,” Councillor Levine said. “Indeed, this year our veterans raised more than $31,000 during last November’s Poppy Fund Campaign. Those funds were then returned to the community through donations to local organisations, such as the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, the Royal Victoria Hospital, the Jewish General Hospital , the Salvation Army, the Old Brewery Mission and many others.” Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veteran’s Park Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany. The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. VE Day 2008: Mayor and City Council with Parade Marshall Bob Feldstein in CSL Veterans Park This year’s commemoration will be conducted by Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 President, Frank Levine.

Veterans Park is located next to the City Hall and library (5801 Cavendish Blvd.) In the event of rain, the ceremony will be held indoors at the City Hall. George Nashen in front of the Cote Saint-Luc cenotaph in Veterans Park on VE Day 2012 G.J. Nashen Events , Historical Anthony Housefather , Brigadier Frederick Kisch , Canadian Armed Forces , George Nashen , Royal Canadian Legion , V-E Day , Victory in Europe Day , World War II Leave a comment Each year Cote Saint-Luc salutes its veterans and remembers those who have passed. V-E Day takes place on the first Sunday in May. Unfortunately, the crowd of veterans grows thinner each year and those still attending grow a little more frail, a little older. Their ages have now reached the upper 80s and many into their 90s. The Cote Saint-Luc ceremony is solemn and meaningful. Remarks are given by members of the Royal Canadian Legion , the diplomatic corps, municipal officials and a military band and trumpeter provide musical accompaniment. The Master of Ceremony was Frank Levine, a veteran of the Second World War and local Legion president.

The event co-chairpersons were councillors Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac. I have been attending the Cote Saint-Luc ceremony for some 32 years since I first joined the CSL Emergency Measures Organization in 1979. Back then, EMO members would march, 30 or 40 strong, from 8100 CSL Road to the CSL Shopping Centre where we would meet up with hundreds of veterans, firefighters, police officers, soldiers, scouts and other volunteers. The larger parade, including marching bands would make its way further down CSL Road to the reviewing stand near the fire station and the parade would assemble at the old cenotaph at Father Foley Park between the fire station and the post office. Hundreds of spectators would line the street. This slideshow requires JavaScript. Today’s assembly is smaller. The event is simpler. But it is still very important to remember. Mayor Anthony Housefather spoke eloquently about the veteran’s returning from WWII who built CSL into a modern and thriving urban city. He thanked them for their dedication in building our community.

I am fortunate to once again have attended with my father, George Nashen, a veteran of the RCAF who served in England from 1942-1946. I salute him, the members of the Brigadier Fredrick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion and all those who served in the Canadian Armed Forces . We will remember them. G.J. Nashen Canada , Events , Historical , Press Release Anthony Housefather , Brigadier Frederick Kisch , commemoration , Greatest Generation , Nazi Germany , Remembrance Day , Royal Canadian Legion , Tom Brokaw , V-E Day , Victory in Europe Day Leave a comment The City of Côte Saint-Luc and the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion launched the We Will Remember Them online campaign. The goal is to encourage the Facebook generation to honour the sacrifice of the Greatest Generation by changing their Facebook profile photo to the We Will Remember Them logo or to pose with the We Will Remember Them poster, both available for download at . “Every new generation must remember those who fought to defend Canada and her allies,” Mayor Anthony Housefather said.

“Côte Saint-Luc is a community that remembers its past and honours the veterans who returned to build our community and the memory of those who did not.” The annual Victory in Europe (V-E) Day commemoration ceremony in Côte Saint-Luc takes place on Sunday, May 6, 2012 at 2 pm at Veterans Park (on Cavendish Blvd. next to City Hall). In the event of rain, it will take place next door at City Hall, 5801 Cavendish Blvd. The Master of Ceremony will be Frank Levine, a veteran of the Second World War and local Legion president. The event co-chairpersons are councillors Allan J. Levine and Ruth Kovac. The City of Côte Saint-Luc and the Brigadier Frederick Kisch Branch 97 of the Royal Canadian Legion organize the V-E Day event, which commemorates the victory of the Allies over Nazi Germany. Victory in Europe (V-E) Day was May 8, 1945, the date when the Second World War Allies formally accepted the unconditional surrender of the armed forces of Nazi Germany.

The cenotaph at Veterans Park honours the memory of those who gave their lives in the First World War, the Second World War and the Korean War. The Greatest Generation is a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation who grew up during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in the Second World War, as well as those whose productivity within the war’s home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort.

Question: May 8 is known as Victory in Europe day when the Allies accepted the unconditional surrender of Germany, in what year?
Answer: 1945